T-Line mesh as a safe and effective option for abdominal wall reinforcement with autologous breast reconstruction.

An abdominal bulge or hernia is a known complication of harvesting autologous tissue from the abdomen, usually in the context of breast reconstruction. To decrease this risk of abdominal wall complications, it is for some surgeons common practice to prophylactically placing mesh to reinforce the abdominal wall. 1 Leon D.S. Nazerali R. Lee G.K. Using mesh to reinforce the abdominal wall in abdominal free flaps for breast reconstruction: is there a benefit? What are the risks. Ann Plast Surg. 2018; 80: S295-S298https://doi.org/10.1097/SAP.0000000000001468 Crossref PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar , 2 Vyas R.M. Dickinson B.P. Fastekjian J.H. Watson J.P. DaLio A.L. Crisera C.A. Risk factors for abdominal donor-site morbidity in free flap breast reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008; 121: 1519-1526https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0b013e31816b1458 Crossref PubMed Scopus (134) Google Scholar Even when mesh is placed prophylactically, ∼2–5% of these patients still develop a bulge. 3 (3) (PDF) Lower abdominal bulge after deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP) breast reconstruction. 〈https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8076907_Lower_Abdominal_Bulge_After_Deep_Inferior_Epigastric_Perforator_Flap_DIEP_Breast_Reconstruction〉 [Accessed 27 April 2022]. Google Scholar One of the potential etiologies of mesh failure is weakness at the anchor points. The T-Line® Mesh has an integrated mesh suture anchoring system to enhance mesh anchoring and resist mesh failure. Pre-clinical data has shown that the T-Line mesh has 275% increased anchoring strength compared to other products. 4 Wan D.C. Tseng C.Y. Anderson-Dam J. Dalio A.L. Crisera C.A. Festekjian J.H. Inclusion of mesh in donor-site repair of free TRAM and muscle-sparing free TRAM flaps yields rates of abdominal complications comparable to those of DIEP flap reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010; 126: 367-374https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181de1b7e Crossref PubMed Scopus (66) Google Scholar To determine the safety and efficacy of T-Line mesh, either T-Line mesh or standard polypropylene mesh was prophylactically used to reinforce the abdominal wall after abdominally based breast reconstruction.